Too often historians have told the history of Africa through the prism of colonialism. But what picture of the continent emerges when we do away with making the story of Africa so anchored in European colonialism?

The history of Africa is the story of the origins of human civilisation’, states Badawi, yet little of its early and modern history is widely known. The continent has been neglected, overlooked, and dominated by Western narratives of poverty, slavery, and colonialism. An African History of Africa traces the sprawling history of the continent through the voices of Africans themselves – of countless historians, anthropologists, archaeologists and local storytellers from across more than 30 countries.

On May 8, Zeinab Badawi comes to the Intelligence Squared stage to reveal the engrossing tales of warrior queens, mighty civilisations, lavish buildings, and bustling markets that show how Africa’s history is so much more than the story we think we know. Drawing on the themes of her latest book, An African History of Africa: From the Dawn of Humanity to Independence.

Born in Sudan, Badawi is an award-winning broadcaster, journalist and the president of SOAS, University of London. From the origins of ancient civilisations and medieval empires to the miseries of conquest and the elation of independence, you will come away with a deeper understanding of the epic and sweeping history of the planet’s oldest inhabited continent.

Badawi will be in conversation with historian and broadcaster Kate Williams.

Book your ticket here

Image credit: Zeinab Badawi by Jamie Simonds